Evaporative Cooling System

ABSTRACT

A device for cooling the surface of an object or the skin of a person or animal comprising a plurality of evaporator fins, each having a substantially planar horizontal portion for making contact with an object to be cooled, one or more vertical portions attached to or continuing from the horizontal portion that extends upward there from, and a fabric layer disposed on a surface of the vertical portion. The device includes a support member comprised of one or more parts that connect the plurality of evaporator fins into a larger structure, and can include means to urge the horizontal portions of the evaporator fin assembly against a surface to be cooled. The device can also be embodied as one or more pieces of fabric with a plurality of convoluted evaporator fins adhered to it.

PRIORITY CLAIM

None

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cooling devices, and moreparticularly to evaporative coolers that can be used to cool the surfaceof an object or the skin of a person or animal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

On hot days and in hot environments, people have used many methods tocool themselves, as well as their animals, food, drinks, andpossessions. Today, many cooling technologies are available, but mostfail to provide adequate cooling for portable applications or inapplications requiring little or no power. Because the evaporativecooling effect of water and other fluids is simple and economical toharness, many personal evaporative cooling systems have been developedand refined over the years.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,010,132, issued on Aug. 6, 1935 to C. Bischoff discloseda reservoir having an attached metallic evaporating plate and adistributor for continuously applying a volatile liquid contained in thereservoir to a cellulose backing on the plate. The limit in any suchsystem is the ratio of cooling surface area to target contact area. Thissystem would only provide a 1:1 ratio, which provides minimal benefitover sweating. The same limitation applies to U.S. Pat. No. 2,875,447 Aby Goldmerstein, which describes evaporative cooling gear based onbonding a fabric to a metallic band.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,590 by Utter (Jul. 7, 1998) and U.S. Pat. No.5,671,884 by Restive (Sep. 30, 1997) describe devices consisting of aportable water reservoir that, when pressurized by a user, propels waterthrough a hose and out through a tiny nozzle, spraying the user with afine water mist. U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,247 by Strauss (Apr. 8,2003)discloses a device that is strapped to the front or rear of a user'sbody and blows air mixed with a water mist up the front or back of auser's body under his or her shirt or blouse. All such mistingapproaches have the same limit as above, which is that they don'tincrease the evaporative surface area and thus offer only marginalcooling beyond that provided by sweating.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,011 by Siman-Tov, et al. (Jul. 10, 2001) reveals aportable lightweight cooling garment having a channeled sheet thatabsorbs sweat and/or evaporative liquid, a layer of highly conductivefibers adjacent to the channeled sheet and a device for moving airthrough the sheet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,714 by Uglene (Oct. 24, 2000) discloses a personalcooling garment with inner and outer layers defining a confined spacefor containing liquid that can evaporate to create a cooling effect. Thedrawback of both approaches is that they do not increase the surfacearea beyond what is provided by the user's skin, and therefore can onlymake the evaporative cooling effect somewhat more consistent, but notmore cooling than perspiring on a breezy day.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,865 issued to Bemelman et al (Mar. 24, 1964)described a garment covered at intervals with capillary fibers radiatingfrom a base fabric and adhered to it with a thermally conductive glue.In practice, such an arrangement of materials is unsightly andineffective.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,530,720 B2 by Freer et al describes a bandage forcooling burn wounds comprised of a number of thermally conductiveelements in contact with a fabric. This invention does not employ theevaporating cooling effect because it does not dispose a fluid-wickingfabric on the surfaces exposed to the air. Because of this, it wouldonly provide minimal cooling of the fabric by dissipating heat radiatingfrom the wound through the fabric, into the elements, and then into theair.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,865 by Strauss (Sep. 8, 1998) discloses a coolerthat uses a fan to evaporate water from a powder-coated heat sink withinthe device and delivers the resulting coolness to the neck or foreheadof a user. Because this device is not flexible, it must be made to fitspecific neck or head sizes and is not appropriate for applicationsneeding flexibility. Also, the powder coated heat sink is not nearly aseffective as fabric, and creates severe limits in the production oftruly efficient evaporator fins.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,721,349 B1 by Strauss describes a wide range of devicesbased on a system using a plurality of metallic fins with groovedsurfaces to evaporate water. The invention also uses fabric to supplywater and provide common support for the evaporative elements. Thelimitation here is that the grooved fins are expensive to produce andinefficient at evaporating water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing acooling device comprising a plurality of evaporator fins, each having; asubstantially planar horizontal portion for making contact with anobject to be cooled, a vertical portion attached to or continuing fromthe horizontal portion that extends upward there from, a fabric layerdisposed on a surface of at least one of the horizontal and verticalportions, a support member comprised of one or more parts that connectthe plurality of evaporator fins into a larger structure.

A second aspect of the invention is characterized by the above coolingdevice of wherein the support member extends through a slot formed in aroot of the vertical portion of each evaporator fin that is adjacent thehorizontal portion thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by the above coolingdevice further comprising evaporator fin guards that cover the edges ofthe vertical portions of the evaporator fins.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device wherein the fabric layer extends over the horizontal andvertical portion of each evaporator fin and is a portion of a continuouscommon fabric layer disposed on the first and second vertical portions.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device wherein the fabric layer is common to at least portionsof a plurality of evaporator fins in the device.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device wherein one or more evaporator fins of the pluralityinclude tabs used to crimp over portions of the evaporator fin guards tohold them in place.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device wherein the support member is curved to form an arc thatsubtends an angle greater than 180 degrees.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device wherein the evaporator fins are attached to a supportmember as a one-dimensional array.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device wherein the evaporator fins are attached to a supportmember as a two-dimensional array.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by the any of abovecooling device wherein each evaporator fin is formed by bending a flatportion of metal having a fabric layer attached to at least one sidethereof.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device further comprising a second fabric layer that is insubstantial contact with the fabric layers of each evaporator fin toprovide a fluid reserve capacity.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device further comprising a reservoir with a wick thatcommunicates fluid to a common wick or to the fabric layer of one ormore evaporator fins.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device further comprising at least a second fabric layerdisposed on the support member that contacts the fabric layers of eachevaporator fin to provide a fluid reserve capacity and wicks fluidbetween evaporator fins

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device further comprising at least a second fabric layerdisposed on the support member that contacts the fabric layers of eachevaporator fin to provide a fluid reserve capacity and wicks fluidbetween evaporator fins.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device that additionally includes means to urge the horizontalportions of each evaporator fin against a surface to be cooled.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device wherein one or more evaporator fins in the plurality forma fin strip by including one or more additional vertical portion(s)attached to or continuing from said horizontal portion that are coveredwith a fabric layer.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device comprised of a plurality of said fin strips.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device comprising a common support member that connects said finstrips into a larger array.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device in which said common support member is made of fabric.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device wherein a skin-facing surface of the evaporator fins haveone or more thermally conductive post-like extensions designed topenetrate human hair or animal fur and touch the user's skin.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device that additionally includes means to connect theevaporator fins into an array.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling device that further comprises means to urge the evaporator finbases against a surface to be cooled.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by a cooling devicecomprising an array of convoluted evaporator fins and a hydrophilicfabric bonded to one or more portions of said evaporator fins.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by the above coolingdevice comprised of one or more pieces of fabric with a plurality ofconvoluted evaporator fins adhered to it.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by any of the abovecooling devices further including means to urge the evaporator fin basesagainst a surface to be cooled.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by a cooling devicecomprising a plurality of evaporator fins disposed in an at least onedimensional array for urging against a member or surface to be cooled,each evaporator fin having a lower portion and an upper portion opposedfrom the lower portion, a fabric for supporting the at least onedimensional array of cooling fins at the lower portion thereof andcovering at least a portion thereof, a barrier layer spaced apart fromthe fabric and disposed above the upper portions of the plurality ofevaporator fins to provide a channel to receive air forced across theevaporator fins

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by the above coolingdevice further comprising a fan disposed in fluid communication with thechannel to force air from outside the cooling device into the channel.

Another aspect of the invention is characterized by the above coolingdevice wherein the barrier layer comprises a fabric layer that isoperative as a fluid reservoir that is disposed facing the channel andan air impenetrable layer disposed on the opposing side of the fabriclayer that faces away from the channel.

The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the followingdescription of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a single evaporator fin withone vertical portion.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a single evaporator fin withtwo vertical portions.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a single evaporator fin withextension tabs.

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view showing an operative portions ofa neck cooling device, whereas FIG. 4B is a side elevation view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a cooling devicewith a two-dimensional array of evaporator fins.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an evaporator fin strip withmultiple vertical portions.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a single evaporator fin foruse with cooling fabric.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a fabric with multipleevaporator fins bonded to it for cooling smooth surfaces.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a single evaporator fin foruse with cooling skin covered with hair or fur.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a fabric with multipleevaporator fins bonded to it for cooling skin through hair or fur.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation illustrating theoperative principles of an evaporative cooling device that deploys thefabric and fins of FIG. 8 with a means for forcing air.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the operativeprinciples of an evaporative cooling device that deploys the fabric andfins of FIG. 11 with an additional water reservoir shown in a cut awayview.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1000: evaporative cooling device-   50: Forced Air-   100: Evaporator Fin-   110: Horizontal Evaporator Fin Portion-   120: Vertical Evaporator Fin Portion-   130: Crimp tab-   200: Fabric-   210: Support Member-   220: Evaporator Fin Guard-   230: Reservoir-   231: Foam-   232: Snap Cap-   240: Evaporator Fin Strip-   250: Fan-   260: Target Surface-   270: Barrier-   280 Evaporator Fin Extension-   281 Evaporator Fin Extension Tab

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referencing FIG. 1, the various embodiments of the cooling device 1000are comprised of a plurality of thermally conductive Evaporator Fins100. Each Evaporator Fin 100 has a substantially planar HorizontalEvaporator Fin Portion 110 for making contact with an object to becooled, and a Vertical Evaporator Fin Portion 120 that extends orcontinues upward from said horizontal portion. Each Evaporator Fin 100additionally has a layer of Fabric 200 disposed on at least a portion ofVertical

Evaporator Fin Portion 120. All embodiments additionally employ a commonSupport Member 210 to assemble the plurality of Evaporator Fins 100 intoa larger structure. FIG. 4 shows a springy metal or plastic materialbeing used as Support Member 210. FIG. 8 shows that Fabric 200 canitself be used as a continuous substrate or support member thatEvaporator Fins 100 are adhered to or in continuous contact with.

More specifically, FIG. 1 depicts a single Evaporator Fin 100 with oneHorizontal Evaporator Fin Portion 110 and one Vertical Evaporator FinPortion 120. For maximum evaporative surface, Fabric 200 is bonded tothe top surface of Horizontal Evaporator Fin Portion 110 and on bothsides of Vertical Evaporator Fin Portion 120. Evaporator Fins 100 arepreferably bonded to Fabric 200 using a hot melt adhesive film.Thermally conductive Evaporator Fins 100 are preferably made of aluminumfor high thermal conductivity and low cost.

Together, all Evaporator Fin 100 surfaces that are covered with fabricand exposed to air comprise the total effective evaporative surface(EES) of the device. The EES does not include portions where fabric isbonded to fins, but the fabric is covered with an Evaporator Fin Guard220 or the like, because that would block evaporation. The EES alsodoesn't include portions where Evaporator Fins 100 are not covered withfabric or the like, because without the moist fabric contacting thefins, the evaporative cooling cannot be conducted to Target Surface 260.The higher the total ESS is relative to the total contact area withTarget Surface 260 (EES/TS ratio), the more cooling the device, assumingthe evaporative surfaces aren't so close together as to restrictairflow. ESS/TS ratios of 1:1 provide little benefit over sweatingexcept consistent supply of water and a surface optimized forevaporation. The embodiments depicted below all have ESS/TS ratiosexceeding 3:1, although ratios closer to 2:1 are expected to work betterfor clothing.

The only way to achieve ESS/TS ratios exceeding 1:1 in device 1000 is tohave one portion (Horizontal Evaporator Fin Portion 110) of EvaporatorFins 100 in contact with Target Surface 260, and another portions(Vertical Evaporator Fin Portion 120) extending preferably perpendicularto the first portion. The taller the vertical portions are, the greaterthe ESS/TS ratio will be, making the device more effective. While theabove description of vertical fin portions extending perpendicular tohorizontal fin portions is the most effective approach to increasing theEES/TS ratio, any convoluted shape can be used to achieve aesthetic orfunctional objectives. Convoluted means having one or more folds,creases, indents, outdents, or extended areas, causing Evaporator Fins100 to deviate from a planar surface.

It should be appreciated that Horizontal and Vertical are relativeterms, with horizontal fin portion generally meaning the fin portionthat is configured for contacting and urging against a lateral expanseof the target surface 260 to be cooled. Accordingly the support surfacepreferably has the same outer shape or can be urged to conform to thesame outer shape as the target surface 260 to be cooled.

It should also be understood that for embodiments in which the supportmember is fabric it is optionally related to the fabric layer portion ofthe fin as a part of the same fabric expanse that extends between thefins so that most of the fins are connected to this common fabricexpanse at the fin horizontal portion.

Alternatively, such a fabric support member can be a distinct fabricbody than that disposed on the vertical portion of the fins. In suchcase the distinct fabric body could have properties appropriate forattachment to or over an object or person, water reservoir propertiesand/or different wicking or evaporative properties than the fabric thatis on the fin vertical portions. It should be understood that mostfabrics are inherently hydrophilic as the pore structure and surfacetension provides a tendency to wick water. Such water wicking can beenhanced by the fabric also having a tendency to absorb water within thefiber, like cotton, wool and other natural fibers.

Previous systems for evaporative cooling of people, pets, and objects bycontact have provided limited power and usefulness, especially inportable applications requiring the use of little or no power. Thepresent invention improves on prior art by disposing a fabric onconvoluted evaporator fin surfaces. This approach is far more effectivefor evaporating water or fluids and therefore for moving heat versususing evaporator fin surfaces formed with capillary grooves. It alsoreduces, and in some cases, eliminates the need for a separate fluidreservoir, making the device easier to make and use, and moreaffordable. Fabric can also serve as a common support member and as amedium for wicking fluid between evaporator fins. The invention ofdisposing fabric on the evaporator fins allows for numerous efficientand cost-effective embodiments of the device, most notably includingfabrics that create a powerful cooling effect while using zero energy.

The present invention provides for a whole new class of cooling devicesthat offer numerous advantages over prior art. Such devices can offerlong-term cooling relief, operate on zero power and be . . .

1. Smooth, flexible, and comfortable when worn against a user's body

2. Rigid when used to cool inflexible objects

3. As effective as air conditioning

4. Made and sold inexpensively

5. Lightweight and unobtrusive

6. Made to prevent wetting a user's skin or clothing

7. Embodied as clothing, uniforms, protective garments, accessories, orblankets

8. Made to cool food, beverages, or anything that gets too hot

9. Designed to deliver cooling relief through hair or fur

Forced air embodiments of this innovation can be

1. Embodied as jackets, coats, and other outerwear

2. Worn under a backpack, uniforms, motorcycle leathers, or other heavygarments

3. Adapted to helmets, protective gear, or ordinary clothes

4. Embodied as devices with adjustable cooling

5. Automatically controlled to maintain a relatively constant skintemperature

Further advantages will become apparent from a consideration of thedrawings and ensuing description.

FIG. 2 depicts a single Evaporator Fin 100 with two vertical Portions120. Fabric 200 is preferably bonded to all surfaces except the portionsin contact with Target Surface 260.

FIG. 3 illustrates that Evaporator Fins 100 stamped from flat metalsheets can include Evaporator Fin Extension Tabs 281 that extend downthrough hair or fur to touch skin.

FIG. 4 depicts a portion of a cooling device showing several EvaporatorFins 100, each with Fabric 200 bonded to one side, assembled together onSupport Member 210. In this embodiment, Support Member 210 passesthrough slits near the bases of Evaporator Fins 100. Support Member 210may provide rigid, flexible, or elastic means for connecting EvaporatorFins 100. In a neck cooler embodiment, Support Member 210 is preferablymade of a C-shaped springy stainless steel to urge Horizontal EvaporatorFin Portions 110 against a user's skin. The C-shaped springy, which iselastic, steel or other metal of support member 210 support, is curvedto form an arc that subtends an angle greater than 180 degrees. Hence,when it is urged open to place around a users neck, it will springclosed to provide a means to urge the connecting member against theusers neck that is intended to be cooled. It should be appreciated thatother connecting members, such as elastic fabrics that supportevaporator fins, can also provide equivalent means to urge theconnecting member and hence the fin horizontal surfaces against anobject to be cooled.

Evaporator Fin Guards 220 provide a means for connecting Evaporator Fins100 together, protecting the user from potentially sharp edges ofEvaporator Fins 100, and preventing water in Fabric 200 from wickingonto the user's shirt. Crimp Tabs 130 are crimped over posts thatproject laterally from the bottom of Fin Guards 220 to hold them inplace.

FIG. 5 shows a two dimensional array of Evaporator Fins 100 in. The finsin such an array can be connected by attaching Evaporator Fins 100 to acommon Support Member 210, which itself could be a fabric.

Evaporator Fins 100 are preferably made by bonding fabric to aluminum,then stamping into the desired shape. Some embodiments may requirestamping the aluminum parts first, then applying fabric; however thisapproach will likely be more expensive. The currently preferredthickness of

Evaporator Fins 100 is approximately 0.01-0.03″. Fabric 200 thicknesscan vary, but at 0.04″ thick, it is thick enough to provide water forapproximately 1 hour of use, while cooling at approximately 85% of peakpotential. When Fabric 200 is thinner, it generally promotes more rapidevaporation, but stores less water.

FIG. 6 depicts a single aluminum strip with Fabric 200 adhered to oneside that has been folded to create Evaporator Fin Strip 250 with fourHorizontal Evaporator Fin Portions 110 and five Vertical Evaporator FinPortions 120. A single such Evaporator Fin Strip 240 can be used as acomplete cooling device by adding means to attach it to a surface to becooled. In additional embodiments, which are not intended to be mutuallyexclusive, Multiple Evaporator Fin Strips 240 can be assembled intolarger cooling panels using any means. They can also include EvaporatorFin Extension Tabs 281 that extend down through hair or fur to touchskin.

FIG. 7 depicts a single Evaporator Fin 100 designed for use in a coolingfabric. This part is preferably approximately 0.3″ in diameter, and madeof stamped or otherwise convoluted aluminum. FIG. 8 shows an array ofsuch Evaporator Fins 100 bonded to Fabric 200.

For such a cooling fabric to work, all of the following conditions mustbe met:

1. Sufficient Evaporator Fin 100 surface area is continuously adhered toFabric 200,

2. Evaporator Fins 100 must have a thermal conductivity rating of atleast 35 W/mK,

3. A portion of each Evaporator Fin 100 is open to air contact, and

4. A portion of each Evaporator Fin 100 is in contact with TargetSurface 260.

Evaporator Fins 100 can be applied to Fabric 200 by any suitable means,including:

1. By applying a hot melt adhesive to the surface of Fabric 200 orEvaporator Fins 100, then heating Evaporator Fins 100 while pressingthem into Fabric 200. By applying a negative die on the reverse side,Fabric 200 is forced to stretch, conform, and adhere to the surfaces ofEvaporator Fins 100.

2. By making Fabric 200 of a material that will adhere to EvaporatorFins 100 when the Evaporator Fins are heated and pressed into saidfabric. This variation would allow for the fabric to be simultaneouslypressed into a thinner profile where it touches Evaporator Fins 100,thereby further increasing evaporative efficiency.

3. By using a plastic or metal snap fitting to mechanically retain thefabric against the surfaces of Evaporator Fin 100. it could be appliedfrom the top, having 4 fingers that press Fabric 200 into the interiorcorners of Evaporator Fins 100, and a fifth finger that goes through avertical hole in the center of Evaporator Fins 100. If the snap fittingis plastic, it can then be heat staked in a countersink cavity on theunderside of Evaporator Fins 100. If it is metal, it can be smacked inthe manner of a rivet so the finger that extends into the countersinkcavity will expand, holding it in place.

4. By sewing Evaporator Fins 100 to Fabric 200. In this case, holes willbe included in necessary locations around the bases of Evaporator Fins100 for sewing.

5. By cutting slits in Fabric 200 to accommodate penetration of VerticalEvaporator Fin Portions 120 through said slits. Evaporator Fins 100would first be covered with Fabric 200, which will not continue past themargins of Horizontal Evaporator Fin Portions 110. Once an EvaporatorFin 100 is pressed through the slits, Fabric 200 on HorizontalEvaporator Fin Portion 110 will be glued to Fabric 200 in which saidslits were created. This arrangement allows for thin fabric coveringEvaporator Fins 100, which is more efficient for evaporation, andthicker fabric in the lattice between Evaporator Fins 100, which ispreferable as a reservoir.

Evaporator Fins 100 may also include one or more downward, skin-facingEvaporator Fin Extensions 280 designed to penetrate human hair or animalfur to deliver cooling relief to the user's skin. FIG. 9 shows a singleEvaporator Fin 100 with a single downward-facing Evaporator FinExtension 280. FIG. 10 shows an array of Evaporator Fins 100, eachhaving an Evaporator Fin Extension 280.

By making Evaporator Fins 100 very small and bonding them with a verythin Fabric 200, a cooling bandage can be made that would effectivelydraw heat from burn wounds.

Forced air embodiments maximize the evaporative cooling power in lowairflow applications, including personal cooling indoors, and coolingusers wearing heavy garments such as motorcycle leathers, protectivegarments, thermal, chemical, and other environmental protection suits,bulletproof vests, and space suits.

FIG. 11 depicts a forced air embodiment with Evaporator Fins 100 of theshape depicted in FIG. 7, but Evaporator Fins 100 of any shape orconfiguration will work. By moving Forced Air 50 air across wet Fabric200 covering Evaporator Fins 100, the water or fluid will evaporate morequickly, creating a strong cooling effect on Target Surface 260. Abarrier layer 270 is paced apart from the fabric 200 and disposed abovethe upper portions of the plurality of evaporator fins 100 to provide achannel to receive air forced across the cooling fins 100. The Barrier270, which may or may not touch or be attached to or detachable from thetops of Evaporator Fins 100, prevents air from passing through thedevice vertically, directing it horizontally across Evaporator Fins 100disposed with the channel. The fan 250 can also be disposed at one endof the channel, to force or draw are into the channel so that the airexits at the other end of the channel or holes disposed in the barrier270 for this purpose.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, Fan 250 draws air in from vents open tothe outside of the device 1000, across Evaporator Fins 100 until itreaches the area below Fan 250, where it exits vertically, returning tothe space outside the device. Fan 250 could also be placed amongEvaporator Fins 100. Barrier 270 may also be made of fabric to functionas an additional fluid reservoir and/or as a common wick or supportmember. To prevent air from penetrating through fabric in such anembodiment, the fabric should be laminated with an air-impenetrablefilm, preferably on the top side, allowing water in Barrier 270 to wickonto Fabric 200.

Forced air embodiments preferably additionally provide power to driveFan 250, and a switch to turn Fan 250 on and off. Said switch can alsopermit multiple or variable fan speeds. By placing thermostats on one ormore Evaporator Fins 100, the device 1000 can control Fan 250 to respondautomatically to thermal fluctuations.

Further and additional aspects of the invention may include one or moreof the following features that can enhance one of more of theperformance, versatility and user comfort in the above cooling devices,such as:

1. Means to urge said horizontal portions into contact with an object tobe cooled. Such means can include but are not limited to:

a. cords or straps affixed to the distal ends of a device that wrapsaround an object or body part, and tie, snap, clip, or Velcro together

b. Elastic

c. Belt-and-buckle fixtures

d. “C”-shaped leaf springs

2. Should cooling power need to be reduced:

a. The device may include means to cover all or portions of the surfacesof Evaporator Fins 100 or the area surrounding them with any materialthat will reduce airflow to said surfaces. By completely enclosing thearea around Evaporator Fins 100 with a tightly knit fabric or anymaterial that does not readily allow air to pass through it, the devicewill stop cooling altogether once the area trapped around the fins issaturated with moisture.

b. The device may include means to cover all or portions of EvaporatorFin 100 bases, thermally insulating Evaporator Fin 100 bases from TargetSurface 260.

3. A common wick may be added that delivers water through contact withFabric 200 to all or a plurality or Evaporator Fins 100 or to portionsof Fabric 200 between Evaporator Fins 100.

4. In embodiments where Fabric 200 is too thin to hold sufficient water,one or more additional water Reservoirs 230 may be desirable. FIG. 12shows one type of reservoir encapsulated in a watertight housing with aenclosable filing port. In FIG. 12, Reservoir 230 is filled withhydrophilic Foam 231 and the bottom is open, placing Foam 231 in wickingcontact with Fabric 200. Snap Cap 232 gives the user easy reclosableaccess for refilling. In simpler embodiments, Reservoir 230 may beadditional fluid-wicking material, such as a piece of hydrophilic foamor fabric, disposed in wicking contact with Fabric 200, and need notinclude a housing or fluid-impenetrable barrier.

5. Evaporator Fin Guards 200 are not essential to the cooling function,but can provide three important functions:

a. Protect a user from potentially sharp Evaporator Fin 100 edges,

b. Prevent the device from communicating fluid to whatever it may touch,such as the shirt of a user, and

c. Hold Evaporator Fins together into a larger assembly.

6. A water-resistant or fluid impenetrable barrier film can be adheredto the underside of Fabric 200 to prevent liquid on the evaporativesurfaces from wetting Target Surface 260.

7. A thin barrier film can be provided to cover the bottom of HorizontalEvaporator Fin Portions 110 that contact Target Surface 260. The barrierfilm would protect the device from being soiled by the user's skin oilsand perspiration and protect the user's skin from contact withEvaporator Fins 100 for those with allergies to whatever materialEvaporator Fins 100 are made of. The thinner such a barrier is, the lessit will reduce the cooling effect from reaching the user's skin. Tominimize the thermally insulating effect of such a barrier, it can befilled with a thermally conductive powder or fibers.

Many variations on the embodiments described above can be employedwithin the intended scope of the invention, such as those elaboratedbelow.

While Evaporator Fins 100 are currently made preferably of aluminum forhigh thermal conductivity and cost effectiveness, other materials can besubstituted. While aluminum has a thermal conductivity of approximately200 W/mK, it is theoretically possible to accomplish sufficient heattransfer for this invention using any material with a thermalconductivity rating of at least 35 W/mK. Materials made with diamond,graphite, and other non-metallic thermally conductive substances willlikely be substituted as costs decrease. Various materials may also becombined to create Evaporator Fins 100.

Evaporator Fins 100 can be any shape, but shapes that are not flat arepreferred because they create more evaporative surface area than thecontact area they are cooling. The higher the ratio of evaporativesurface to the surface Evaporator Fins 100 are cooling the moreeffective the device will be. Vertical Evaporator Fin Portions 120 candeviate from 90 degrees relative to Horizontal Evaporator Fin Portion110. Evaporator Fins 100 can also be arranged in any pattern whatever.

While Evaporator Fin Strips 240 are preferably made by adhering Fabric200 to a strip of aluminum, then stamping it into a shape with multipleVertical Evaporator Fin Portions 120, other approaches to creatingmultiple Vertical Evaporator Fin Portions 120 on the same Evaporator Fin100 are possible. Evaporator Fin Strips 240 can be made by casting,direct metal laser sintering, and other additive and stamping processes,or by injection molding thermally conductive plastic. Fabric 200 can beadhered to such parts after manufacture, or said parts could be coatedwith wicking fibers, flocking, or other wicking materials.

Evaporator Fins 100 can be added to existing clothing. For example, anapparel manufacturer can take a plurality of Evaporator Fins 100 andbond them to a shirt. Also, a kit could be created that gives consumersthe ability to insert Evaporator Fins 100 into existing clothing.

While using a hot melt adhesive film is the preferable means of bondingEvaporator Fins 100 to Fabric 200, any suitable adhesive or adhesiveprocess can work. In all embodiments, as much of the surfaces ofEvaporator Fins 100 as possible should be mated with Fabric 200. Anyfabric not bonded to the surface of an evaporator fin will not providecooling function. In embodiments where Fabric 200 is first bonded toEvaporator Fins 100, all available thermally conductive surfaces will becovered with fabric. However, in cooling fabric embodiments in whichFabric 200 is mechanically adhered to the surfaces of Evaporator Fins100 such as by sewing or using mechanical snap fittings, care should betaken to insure continuous contact between Fabric 200 and Evaporator Fin100 surfaces. While Fabric 200 need not be adhered to the surfaces ofEvaporator Fins 100, it must have direct and continuous physical contactwith said surfaces to be effective.

Fabric 200 bonded to Evaporator Fins 100 can be substituted with anymaterial that readily wicks water, including but not limited to wovenfabrics, non-woven fabrics, flocking, hydrophilic plastic foams,wet-laid fibers, sprayed fibers, and hydrophilic plastic or metal foams,including any combinations thereof. Any generally thin flexible, planar,and at least partially porous material, being generally formed of fibersand/or voids that absorb or wick fluids, can be used to fulfill thefabric function. The fabric has been described as hydrophilic, but itcan also perform the wicking function with any liquid that will tend toevaporate in whatever atmospheric conditions it is used in.

Support Member 210 can be made of any suitable material or combinationof materials. This can include, but is not limited to, metal, plastic,leather, and fabric. Support members made of fabric can also serve as afluid reservoir and as a common wick when disposed in contact withFabric 200 on Evaporator Fins 100. Support Member 210 can be flexible,stiff, elastic, or springy as needed and could also be hydrophilic toprovide extra water or wicking function to the device.

In forced air embodiments, Fan(s) 250 or other air-moving means can beattached to any portion of the device and can even be made removable,allowing the device to be washed. Barrier 270 can also be maderemovable, so that it and/or the rest of the device can be washedseparately. Barrier 270 can be made of any material and have anythickness. It can also be designed as a housing. Such a housing canprotect a user and Evaporator Fins 100 from outside objects and forces.Barrier 270 can be impact resistant, and even bullet-proof. It can bemade of a plurality of small pieces that interlock and/or overlap in themanner of fish scales, and/or can include wire mesh for physicalprotection.

Reservoir 230 may or may not be filled with hydrophilic foam or fabricand may or may not have an external housing or waterproof barrier. Itcould be replaced with a one or more pieces of hydrophilic foam orfabric that are simply attached to Fabric 200. A Reservoir 230 couldalso be designed to dispense water to Fabric 200 when pressed orsqueezed.

Devices can be made that combine units for cooling several parts, suchas head, forehead, and neck, and each section can be made detachablefrom the others. A jacket can be made with a detachable neck coolerportion, and/or with detachable upper and lower arm coolers. Pants canbe made with one or more pairs of detachable lower portions, allowingthe user to create cooling shorts of varying lengths as needed. Acooling suit can be made of many parts or pieces to be attachable andremovable from each other. For complete thermal protection, a whole-bodysuit can be made in which each part or section can be removed or not.

Various embodiments can be combined in different areas of the device.Other heating and/or cooling means can be added to the device, such aselectric heating elements, thermoelectric devices, heat pumps, etc., toextend the heating or cooling potential of the device. Other devices,such as radios, TVs, computers, audio/video recorders/players, cellularand cordless telephones, GPS systems, etc. can be incorporated into anyembodiment.

Devices can vary in size, shape, color, and design, and still fallwithin the intended scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A cooling device comprising: a. a plurality of evaporatorfins, each having; i. a substantially planar horizontal portion formaking contact with an object to be cooled, ii. a vertical portionattached to or continuing from the horizontal portion that extendsupward there from, iii. a fabric layer disposed on a surface of at leastone of the horizontal and vertical portions, b. a support membercomprised of one or more parts that connect the plurality of evaporatorfins into a larger structure.
 2. The cooling device of claim 1 whereinthe support member extends through a slot formed in a root of thevertical portion of each evaporator fin that is adjacent the horizontalportion thereof.
 3. The cooling device of claim 1 further comprisingevaporator fin guards that cover the edges of the vertical portions ofthe evaporator fins.
 4. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein the fabriclayer extends over the horizontal and vertical portion of eachevaporator fin and is a portion of a continuous common fabric layerdisposed on the first and second vertical portions.
 5. The coolingdevice of claim 1 wherein the fabric layer is common to at leastportions of a plurality of evaporator fins in the device.
 6. The coolingdevice of claim 1 wherein one or more evaporator fins of the pluralityinclude tabs used to crimp over portions of the evaporator fin guards tohold them in place.
 7. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein the supportmember is curved to form an arc that subtends an angle greater than 180degrees.
 8. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein the evaporator finsare attached to a support member as a one-dimensional array.
 9. Thecooling device of claim 1 wherein the evaporator fins are attached to asupport member as a two-dimensional array.
 10. The cooling device ofclaim 1 wherein each evaporator fin is formed by bending a flat portionof metal having a fabric layer attached to at least one side thereof.11. The cooling device of claim 1 further comprising a second fabriclayer that is in substantial contact with the fabric layers of eachevaporator fin to provide a fluid reserve capacity.
 12. The coolingdevice of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir with a wick thatcommunicates fluid to a common wick or to the fabric layer of one ormore evaporator fins.
 13. The cooling device of claim 1 furthercomprising at least a second fabric layer disposed on the support memberthat contacts the fabric layers of each evaporator fin to provide afluid reserve capacity and wicks fluid between evaporator fins.
 14. Thecooling device of claim 1 that additionally includes means to urge thehorizontal portions of each evaporator fin against a surface to becooled.
 15. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein one or more evaporatorfins in the plurality form a fin strip by including one or moreadditional vertical portion(s) attached to or continuing from saidhorizontal portion that are covered with a fabric layer.
 16. The coolingdevice of claim 15 comprised of a plurality of said fin strips.
 17. Thecooling device of claim 15 further comprising a common support memberthat connects said fin strips into a larger array.
 18. The coolingdevice of claim 1 in which said common support member is made of fabric.19. The cooling device of claim 1 wherein a skin-facing surface of theevaporator fins have one or more thermally conductive post-likeextensions designed to penetrate human hair or animal fur and touch theuser's skin.
 20. The cooling device of claim 1 that additionallyincludes means to connect the evaporator fins into an array.
 21. Thecooling device of claim 20 that further comprises means to urge theevaporator fin bases against a surface to be cooled.
 22. A coolingdevice comprising an array of convoluted evaporator fins and ahydrophilic fabric bonded to one or more portions of said evaporatorfins.
 23. A cooling device comprised of one or more pieces of fabricwith a plurality of convoluted evaporator fins adhered to it.
 24. Thecooling device of claim 23 further including means to urge theevaporator fin bases against a surface to be cooled.
 25. A coolingdevice comprising: a. a plurality of evaporator fins disposed in an atleast one dimensional array for urging against a member or surface to becooled, each evaporator fin having a lower portion and an upper portionopposed from the lower portion, b. a fabric for supporting the at leastone dimensional array of cooling fins at the lower portion thereof andcovering at least a portion thereof, c. a barrier layer spaced apartfrom the fabric and disposed above the upper portions of the pluralityof evaporator finds to provide a channel to receive air forced acrossthe evaporator fins.
 26. The cooling device of claim 25 furthercomprising a fan disposed in fluid communication with the channel toforce air from outside the cooling device into the channel.
 27. Thecooling device of claim 25 wherein the barrier layer comprises a fabriclayer that is operative as a fluid reservoir that is disposed facing thechannel and an air impenetrable layer disposed on the opposing side ofthe fabric layer that faces away from the channel.